The New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning are scoreless after one period tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum.
The Lightning lead in shots, 8-7.
The Lightning's top line generated the first great scoring chance only 32 seconds into the game. Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis moved into the Devils zone on a 2-on-1. St. Louis took a pass from Stamkos in the slot, but fired the puck over the crossbar.
The Devils countered with their own chance later in the period. Lightning defenseman Eric Brewer tripped over the linesman, turning the puck over to Kovalchuk. The left-winger fed rookie Nick Palmieri, who tried to deke Dwayne Roloson. His backhanded shot sailed wide of the net.
The Devils scratched Adam Mair and Mark Fraser.